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'I want our program to be great,' said GHS head football Coach Brown as he spoke of the 2023 season. In this file photo the Pirates at work against district rival St. Pius whom they defeated by a score of 21-14 in a district game. Franklin Romero - CC
The 4A football season just ended with the Lovington Wildcats taking the championship for 2023. The Grants Pirates made the playoffs this year and Grants High School Coach Steve Brown reflected on the success of the team.
“I want them all to know that it was truly my honor and my pleasure to be able to be called their coach. Tegwyn, Ty, Larry, Aaron, Joe, Jason, Coby, Knight, Manny and Julian, you all laid the groundwork for our new foundation. Our success now and in the future, all started with you,” said Brown. “You will be missed– our success now and in the future, all started with you– we will do our level best to make you proud of what you started here at GHS.”
“As far as the season goes Football wise, I am extremely happy and proud of how our team did–no one expected us to have any success this year,” said Brown. “We asked our players (over the summer) what their goals were for the season and they said they wanted to win some games–we took that goal and began the process of working for it.”
The Pirates did indeed take that goal to heart as they went 6-5 and 2-1 in districts. The Pirates defeated strong district rivals Valencia High School (25-21) and St. Pius High School (21-14) to earn an 8th seed in the 4A state playoffs where they lost to the 9th seeded Academy Chargers (35-7).
“To be able to say that we are a playoff team is a huge accomplishment for these kids—we didn't have one player on the roster with any playoff experience and now we have 45+ plus kids that have that experience and we have plans to build on that next year,” said Brown.
The Pirates graduated 10 seniors this year and coach Brown acknowledged their contribution. “I want them all to know that it was truly my honor and my pleasure to be able to be called their coach. Tegwyn, Ty, Larry, Aaron, Joe, Jason, Coby, Knight, Manny and Julian, you all laid the groundwork for our new foundation. Our success now and in the future, all started with you,” said Brown. “You will be missed– our success now and in the future, all started with you– we will do our level best to make you proud of what you started here at GHS.”
As far as the offseason goes, Brown said, “My expectations for the off season are really no different than any other coach that wants to lead a successful program—I am hoping to see focus, dedication and commitment to excellence from our kids. I put a lot of pressure on our kids to work for the success they desire–I am expecting to see lots of kids in our off-season program which has already begun for players that are not involved in winter sports, said Brown “I am looking to see who wants to take us to the next level and start putting in the work now to prepare for next season. We are only 10 months away from our first game of the new season– so let’ get to work.”
Cibola County Sports Round-Up
Basketball season is starting this week and the Grants High School and Laguna-Acoma boys’ and girls’ teams have completed their tryouts and had a few practices in before Tuesday night’s games. The Pirates boys’ basketball will travel to Bloomfield High School on Tuesday, November 28 and the Lady Pirates will host Bloomfield High School on Tuesday.
The Laguna-Acoma Hawks boys’ basketball will host on Tuesday, November 28 against the Del Norte Knights. The Lady Hawks will play the Lady Knights on the road.
The Grants High School wrestling team placed ninth (22 points) at Conquer the Petroglyphs meet at Volcano Vista High School this past weekend. Skye Shondee placed third in 185 pounds. Division and Danika Wilson placed fourth also in that same weight class.